Flushing engine on Yamaha 242 Limited S E series using in Saltwater

[spaceman2]

Im thinking about buying one of these boats but wonder how well the flushing system works if Im going
to be using this in Saltwater here in Fla. Can you get to the flush out hookup if you have the boat on a Boatlift.
Do these engines have a coating inside to prevent corrosion in the cooling system.
One reason I was looking at the Chapparal jet boats because of their closed freshwater cooling system but
I read they are having problems with their sensor systems on their Exhaust System. Also their support
for service doesn't seem to be as good as Yamaha from what I read. I just don't want problems from running the Yamaha in saltwater. I would flush with saltfree like I did my outboards and that seem to keep them in good working order.

 

[0627Devildog]

Im thinking about buying one of these boats but wonder how well the flushing system works if Im going
to be using this in Saltwater here in Fla. Can you get to the flush out hookup if you have the boat on a Boatlift.
Do these engines have a coating inside to prevent corrosion in the cooling system.
One reason I was looking at the Chapparal jet boats because of their closed freshwater cooling system but
I read they are having problems with their sensor systems on their Exhaust System. Also their support
for service doesn't seem to be as good as Yamaha from what I read. I just don't want problems from running the Yamaha in saltwater. I would flush with saltfree like I did my outboards and that seem to keep them in good working order.

Hey Jack,

Welcome aboard. There are LOTS of folks on here running Yamaha boats in these very condition.

While the engines are NOT internally coated to my knowledge, as long as you are flushing with Salt Away (or similar) after every run you will be good to go.

One thing to remember when flushing is to turn the engines on FIRST. . . . . THEN turn the water one once running.

 

[spaceman2]

OK thanks for the info and Salt Away is what I used. Can you reach the flush out hookup if the boat is on a boat lift. Is it
inside on the engines... where you can get to it or is it outside.

 

[0627Devildog]

OK thanks for the info and Salt Away is what I used. Can you reach the flush out hookup if the boat is on a boat lift. Is it
inside on the engines... where you can get to it or is it outside.

Depends on the boat/year. . . . I believe MOST models are INSIDE the boat near in the AFT Starboard/Port corners of the boat. So, as long as you can be on the boat while it is on the lift you are good to go.

 

[Dan_NC]

Jet and outboard engines will run water from the body of water you're boating in through the cooling system. From my understanding, even the "saltwater series" Mercury outboards are just a marketing scheme. Just keep your engines flushed and you wont have any issues. Devil Dog is correct, all of the newer boats have the flush inside the boat cockpit. port and starboard rear. The only thing I am unsure about with being on the boat lift is whether the salt away would end up in the body of water. I'm not sure if is necessarily environment friendly. I wouldn't want a ticket for some suds in the ocean.

 

[0627Devildog]

The only thing I am unsure about with being on the boat lift is whether the salt away would end up in the body of water. I'm not sure if is necessarily environment friendly. I wouldn't want a ticket for some suds in the ocean.

Good point, I had not thought about that. . . . The suds would in fact exit the boat and drop below. Not sure if Salt Away is made to do that without impacting the environment.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Good point about the water if you use blue dawn dish soap in the flush process it is not harmful to the environment or the little duckies as shown on T V LOL. I make pigtails that connect to the flush fitting and I use a quick connect on one end for the hose, I squirt in dish soap or car wash soap before flushing I watch the soap exit the exhaust and when it is done I know the flush is complete. I run strictly certified gulf of Mexico water. IN any case add some zinc to your pump area and ride plate or pump housing, this will fight corrosion in salt water, the original ones are usually magnesium for fresh water. The pigtails would also work in your boat and before you connect the coupler from the hose you already inserted some soap it only takes a small squirt

 

[spaceman2]

I thought Salt Away left a protective coating and not sure the soap would do the same. Their webpage says Biodegradeable nontoxic so should be fine
in the water. I used it in the past on my outboards on a lift even at a club lift where I use to keep my Catamaran with outboards.

 

[Jgorm]

I think salt a way is a scam. Salt is very soluble in water.

 

[swatski]

Salt is very soluble in water.

Not all "salts" are soluble in water, some form lime and deposits.

I think salt a way is a scam.

Salt-away active ingredient is sulfamic acid (plus some detergents - in a proprietary mix). The sulfamic acid is the bomb.

I do not believe there is an alternative as good as sulfamic acid for the job, but I would hesitate to follow Jeff's advice and use Dawn soap. He puts more salt water hours on his jet engines than most anyone here.


Sulfamic acid is a fantastic cleaning agent, I first fell in love with it back in the day when I was a home brewer! It’s used in so many applications for removing rust and limescale/descaling, rather than the more volatile and irritating hydrochloric/muriatic acid, which is however cheaper.

Sulfamic acid has most desirable descaling properties, and is essentially non-toxic (if you worry about the environment - or your lawn and kids/pets for that matter is using on a hose at home).

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[Dan_NC]

Speaking of, how often do you guys flush your engines? I was just thinking about it today. I flush and wash after saltwater outings, which are less than 25% of my use. In fresh water, I haven't been very regular about it this season. Just wondering if it is a bad habit or no-go that I am not flushing after each outing.

 

[Jgorm]

@swatski any acid will do that. Buy muriatic acid for cheap. CaCO3 doesn't rust metal like the chloride salts. The chloride salts are very soluble, like 10+molar.

 

[Jgorm]

Speaking of, how often do you guys flush your engines? I was just thinking about it today. I flush and wash after saltwater outings, which are less than 25% of my use. In fresh water, I haven't been very regular about it this season. Just wondering if it is a bad habit or no-go that I am not flushing after each outing.

Every time you drive in fresh water' it's a flush. Probably cleaner than your hose.

 

[swatski]

@swatski any acid will do that. Buy muriatic acid for cheap. CaCO3 doesn't rust metal like the chloride salts. The chloride salts are very soluble, like 10+molar.

You are correct, on all points.
(LOL, well... one could caveat your statement on the solubility aspects of chloride salts but it is certainly good enough from the boating perspective!)

Nevertheless, I would not want to use muriatic acid anywhere near my engines! its going to cause long term damage and degradation, it is basically an industrial (less pure) version of hydrochloric acid - very harsh on things. Good for cleaning grout off of bricks! In a boat, I would use Saltaway for best results, safety and convenience. One could save money and purchase sulfamic acid in bulk, it is way less expensive and easily available - from Amazon, I think, or brewing supply stores.

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[adrianp89]

I flush for a few minutes with fresh water, and then flush with salt-away until the mixer is clear. It is probably overkill, but sometimes boating is shallow areas I want to be 100% sure any sand that got sucked up gets flushed out. I have been told to finish the salt-away because of the coating or whatever it leaves.

 

[Zach Ahmed]

My dealer told me to not use salt away or anything else. also stated in owners manual to not use anything. we just flush for 5 mins 2 quick revs and done. 18s hours here.... thinking is salt away worth it?
Just hose down and spray some yamaha engine dressing every 2 outings.

 

[swatski]

Yes, salt away is worth it. Not the only way to do it, but about the best.
I'm sorry to say it... but - your dealer sounds ignorant.


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[adrianp89]

Yes, salt away is worth it. Not the only way to do it, but about the best.
I'm sorry to say it... but - your dealer sounds ignorant.


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Maybe they are a 1000 miles from salt.

 

[Zach Ahmed]

They are on the GULF! saltiest of them all. Im on the Florida east coast.

 

[adrianp89]

They are on the GULF! saltiest of them all. Im on the Florida east coast.

Well the big dealer over here in Tampa highly suggests it and sells it by the gallon. They even sell multiple types of dispensers for it.